The new concept store — to be located in the popular shopping shopping center known as Täby Centrum, at the edge of the city — appears to represent Renault taking a page from Tesla’s book, in a way. Perhaps other auto manufacturers will follow suit before too long?

“We are delighted to be opening this store which will enable us to engage with people about electric mobility, help them to learn more about the subject and give them a chance to share their ideas. As Europe’s number one EV brand, we will be able to use this concept store to interact with the public and help people to understand the opportunities and benefits of electric motoring,” commented Gilles Normand, the Groupe Renault Senior Vice President for Electric Vehicles.

A press release from Renault’s PR department provides a bit more information on the matter:

“Thanks to the physical and digital journey that has been designed specifically for this store, visitors will be able to familiarise themselves with the practicalities associated with electric mobility and find a personalised solution that matches their particular lifestyle. The concept store features a number of distinct zones, including a display of electric vehicles and areas where visitors will find information about charging infrastructure and systems, local legislation, subsidies, conditions of purchase and electric-vehicle-related services, as well as a place to relax and exchange ideas.”

Of course, visitors to the concept store will also be able to test drive various plug-in electric vehicles and experience new features like autonomous drive. They’ll also be able to directly place orders for the models in question. Essentially, the store is a dealership of Renault’s electric car models only, which is not a bad idea, all things considered. It will allow those disinterested in buying internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to avoid spending time at dealers that may not have the proper infrastructure to effectively sell electric models.

If it’s successful, Renault will follow through on plans to launch similar stores throughout Europe- and, possibly, even in the US with its Nissan and Infiniti sister brands. That move would align them, message-wise, with Tesla, and help to put cars like the new Nissan LEAF in the same spaces that are trying to attract Model 3 buyers. That could work!

The all-new “Batman” style Formula E car set to be raced for the 2018/19 will make its debut later this month according to FE’s CEO, Alejandro Agag. When it finally drops, the new car is promised to look “very different to any single-seater out there. It is futuristic and eye-catching.” I couldn’t wait for that, though, so I went out looking for a 2019 Formula E race car concept to get excited about- and the internet totally freakin’ delivered.

Formula E Race Car Concept by Spark Racing Technology

See what I mean? It’s amazing- and, while it’s hard to say how close this will actually be to the all-new Formula E spec racer, an incredible amount of work has gone into creating the 3D model. From the original model download page:

This model is maximally optimized for use in 3d games and VR. So you can easily import this model in your project without the need to change anything. The model also uses smoothing groups, so you can always increase the detail to the required level simply by applying a turbosmooth modifier. Divided into functional parts and grouped for easy editing and using in game engines.

I don’t know what all of that means, but it seems like the guys behind Spark Racing Technology’s model gave it a surface that’s made up of more than 11,000 polygons. I feel like that’s a lot, seeing as it’s nearly 3x as many as Sony and Playstation used for Gran Turismo 4.

Artem Smirnov and Vladimir Panchenko are young industrial designers. More importantly, for our purposes, they are car enthusiasts of the first order. As such, they fully understand that the future of the automobile is especially bright right now- and they’re using their talent and optimism to show just how bright it is. Today, we’ll be looking at this: an incredible, futuristic Audi semi truck.

Well, we’ll be looking at half of the Audi truck concept, anyway. That’s because Artem and Vladimir began this project by sketching out two versions of the concept. The first was intended to be a fully autonomous, self-driving truck. The second (shown here) of their forward-looking concepts would be driven by humans. In either case, though, the team’s work is truly exceptional. It’s well-thought out, possible, and- most importantly- beautiful to look at. If Audi ever does decide to take on Tesla and Volvo in the big (subsidized) truck game, they could do far worse than calling on Artem and Vladimir to start them off on the right foot.

Check out the pair’s work on the #truckforaudi project, below, then compare this electric version it to the other, driverless version of the same project and let us know which one you prefer. As for Artem and Vladimir? They couldn’t pick a favorite and, for what it’s worth, neither can I!

Claus and Brees have put some serious thought into the potential future of Tesla racing, and they’ve decided that the World Endurance Championship- which includes 24 hour races at places like LeMans and Daytona- will be the best place for Tesla to silence the “range anxiety” critics once and for all. Or, it will be by 2030, anyway.

That’s the year that Claus and Brees seem to think a 24 hour race with an EV will be possible- but they didn’t stop at pretty drawings of a futuristic race car. Their Tesla concept embraces a number of interactive fan technologies like a 360-degree camera as well as a clever new “active livery” section that will allow the car to show different sponsors’ logos throughout the race. The car would also transmit its position and battery energy to fans through the racing series’ app, allowing the fans at home to try to guess the teams’ strategy as the race unfolds.

Tesla LMP1 Race Car Concept | Tech Ideas

LMP1 – Click to Enlarge

LMP1 – Click to Enlarge

LMP1 – Click to Enlarge

LMP1 – Click to Enlarge

It’s all neat stuff- and, maybe, should be food for thought for Liberty Media as they revamp their Formula 1 property. You can see more “beauty shots” of the proposed Tesla racer, below, and leave us your thoughts on the idea in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

Electric LMP1 Race Car Concept | Exterior

Yamaha first announced its intentions to launch an all-electric, 2-wheeled ecosystem for years– and it’s taken several steps to deliver on its promise. Its electric eVino scooter is already here, and the PES1 proved Yamaha is serious about developing a lightweight bike platform to compete in the 125-250cc ranges. Now, Yamaha is teasing the next step in its electric reinvention: the Motoroid.

Yamaha’s two-wheeled electric motorcycle concept bike will- according to the company- inspire a feeling of true connection between bike and rider, but the model is more “it’s a pony!” than “Robotech Cyclone”. Even so, people like their horses, so bike being able to interact with its human owner could, maybe, generate a genuine bond (on the human’s part, at least). And …

Well, that’s it, really. All Yamaha has given out, so far, is the pictures you see here- which feature a Bimota Tesi type suspension– and the following statement: In order to bring people new experiences of Kando,* this experimental machine employs artificial intelligence and explores the feasibility of concepts for creating new forms of personal mobility in which the rider resonates harmoniously with machine. MOTOROiD’s development concept was an “Unleashed Prototype,” and it is capable of recognizing its owner and interacting in other capacities like a living creature. By undertaking these kinds of development challenges, Yamaha is aiming to acquire technology for creating new value for our customers.

Make of that what you will, I guess. In the meantime, check out the pictures of this electric motorcycle cyberpet hybrid thingy, below, and check back again after the Tokyo Motor Show launch on October 27th.

Yamaha Metroid | 2017 Tokyo Auto Show

Say what you will about Tesla or Fisker, it is my belief that Mercedes-Benz, “>through its Maybach sub-brand, is the undisputed master of EV design at the moment. To back up that wild claim, I present the following masterclass in automotive styling: the Vision 6 Mercedes Maybach Cabriolet.

As both a coupe and the all-new cabrio, the long hood and short deck design of the Vision 6 concept echo prewar Mercedes classics like the SSK while the rounded, almost-but-not-quite boat tail design at the rear recalls some of the better-looking Auto Union racers, as well. This, not the Tesla Roadster or Fisker Karma, is the car you show to people who say electric cars are ugly. This, not the Tesla Model 3 or the Nissan Leaf, is the car that you show to people who think the electric future is going to be boring. This car, kids, is the high water mark of automotive design, circa 2017.

You could also argue that the Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet is the car you would show to someone- if there is still anyone left- who thinks the electric future will be slow. Thanks to four powerful, axle-mounted electric motors, the Vision 6 puts nearly 740HP to the ground via all four wheels. That’s enough power to catapult the massive roadster from zero to sixty in less than four seconds on the way to a top speed of more than 200 MPH. And all that is done on those ridiculous turbofan wheels!

Mercedes has the Vision Cabriolet on display now at Monterey Car Week- one of the many automotive events that surround the famous Concours d’Elegance– and it will be there through tomorrow, August 20th. If you’re in the area, snap a few pictures for us. We’ll publish them and ask what you thought of the big roadster up close. If you’re not nearby, feel free to complain about my insinuation that Ol’ Musky and his Tesla cars may not be the best things ever in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Mercedes Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet | Gallery

Hyundai seems to be really serious about building their brand’s marketing message around the Ioniq. The car scored an official Bonneville speed record earlier this month. And, now, Hyundai is pushing the Ioniq brand even further into the future with a fully autonomous version of the new EV debuting at this week’s LA Auto Show.

You can check out Hyundai’s official LA Auto Show press release for the autonomous Ioniq EV, in its entirety, below.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2016 – Hyundai Motor Company announced the introduction of the Autonomous IONIQ concept during its press conference at Automobility LA (Los Angeles Auto Show). With a sleek design resembling the rest of the IONIQ lineup, the vehicle is one of the few self-driving cars in development to have a hidden LiDAR system in its front bumper instead of on the roof, enabling it to look like any other car on the road and not a high school science project.

The goal of the autonomous IONIQ concept was to keep the self-driving systems as simple as possible. This was accomplished by using the production car’s Smart Cruise Control’s forward-facing radar, Lane Keep Assist cameras and integrated them with LiDAR technology. Hyundai Motor is also developing its own autonomous vehicle operating system, with the goal of using a lot less computing power. This will result in a low-cost platform, which can be installed in future Hyundai models the average consumer can afford.

The car’s hidden LiDAR system also allows the Autonomous IONIQ to detect the absolute position of surrounding vehicles and objects. In addition, the Autonomous IONIQ features:

A three camera array which detects pedestrian proximity, lane markings and traffic signals

These features build upon the capabilities of the production IONIQ, which offers Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Assist. The vehicle also incorporates all autonomous controls into existing systems to ensure that drivers can have a seamless transition between active and self-driving modes.

Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor earned a license to test its autonomous cars in urban environments. To showcase the cars in action, Hyundai Motor will debut two Autonomous IONIQs at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January where the cars will be found driving up and down the neon-and sunlit boulevards of Las Vegas. In addition to offering media rides, these IONIQs will be prepared to tackle:

High levels of pedestrian traffic

Stop lights, stop signs and school zones

Road construction and roadblocks

Speed bumps

Dogs without a leash

Children at play

Shopping centers

Intersections without traffic signals

Hyundai Motor is currently testing three autonomous IONIQs and two Autonomous Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles at Hyundai Research and Development Center in Namyang, South Korea. Navigating Namyang for a self-driving car is a challenge because of the more than 11,000 engineers and designers on site every day.

So, yeah- looks like Hyundai’s really going after the future here with the Ioniq. What do you guys think? Would you trust an autonomous Hyundai more than, say, an autonomous Tesla? Do you think Hyundai’s budget- orders of magnitude more than Tesla’s, one would imagine- will make the difference? Let us know, in the comments.

Since the deaths of veteran Justin Wilson in IndyCar and the promising young talent Jules Bianchi in Formula 1, open-wheel race car series have been looking at a number of ways to enhance driver safety without ruining the look and feel of their race cars. Formula 1 seems to have chosen the “Halo” concept, for now, but did they rush to that decision without considering other, better options? One look at the brilliant Velocity RPB closed cockpit racing car concept from Chris Beatty will tell you: Yes. Yes, they did.

“As a fan of high-powered single seater open wheel racing cars I wanted to create a design that removed the heavy reliance on over the (wing-generated downforce) and, instead, focus on mechanical grip with a degree of ground effect generated from the under body,” says Beatty, in his description of the project. “Current top tier racing cars have become so overly refined they’ve lost what a lot of us fell in love with them for in the first place, that interaction between man (or woman) and machine. That perception of taming the beast.”

“A lot of recent race car concept design and speculation has been around taking the current F1 car (or 2017 spec) and re-styling it by shifting around the dimensions and then sticking a load of plastic aero paraphernalia all over the surface combined with other gimmicks that tick all the ‘futuristic look’ boxes,” continues Beatty. “To me, this is just a development exercise of what already exists, and does not provide a significant change in design philosophy. I wanted to produce a car that would be a game changer both visually and in the way it interacts with the driver and the race track. At the same time, I also wanted it to look like it could conceivably roll out of a Silverstone garage on a cold spring morning for an initial shakedown test within the next two years.”

If you ask me (you didn’t), Beatty has absolutely nailed it. His Velocity RPB concept is absolutely the kind of race car I’d like to spend my hard-earned money to watch tear up a track on race day.

Is the Velocity RPM perfect? No. I’d like to see a front wing, albeit a simple one. I’d like to see a bit more height on the rollover bar to give it a bit more Jordan 191. Beyond that, though? I mean- wow.

Velocity RPB Enclosed Cockpit Formula Car Concept

EICMA might be the biggest motorcycle show in the world, and BMW has plans to make a strong showing with four new and revised models set to make their debut. We have some ideas as to what those might be, but we know for sure, with complete metaphysical certitude, what won’t show up: this Rotax-engined BMW-based R12 ultralight aircraft concept.

Designed by Nicolas Petit, the Tribute R12 concept plays up the visual similarity between the BMW’s R12 parallel-twin and the Rotax aviation twin. At the same time, the BMW motorcycles’ roundel/propeller imagery is replaced with a literal propeller. It’s impossibly cool, and definitely more interesting than whatever it is BMW is actually going to build.

Or, is it?

The BMW R1200GS practically defines the high-end Adventure Touring class of bikes. For 2017, BMW motorcycles’ boxer twin gets a few tweaks to make it Euro4 emissions compliant and churn out a few extra horsepower. An visual refresh is also expected (think LEDs), as are some minor chassis refinements to make the bike a bit more highway-friendly.

Speaking of BMW’s entry-level offerings, the company is expected to introduce a new, 400cc version of its C Maxi scooters. We’re big fans of BMW’s C scoots, and named them to our list of Best Fuel-efficient Motorcycles You Can Buy at least once. This newest BMW C will be more “touring” focused, which probably translates from German into “cushy seat, more trunk space”.

BMW Motorcycles at EICMA | 2017 BMW R Nine T Urban GS

Finally, BMW is believed to be building a more “Urban GS” version of the highly customizable R Nine T. Styling is most likely a throwback to the Lac Rose concept (shown, above), which was designed to celebrate a time when the Dakar Rally actually concluded in Senegal. The bike should offer an ADV experience that is a bit more vintage/trendy than what the BMW R1200GS or R1200GS Adventure offer, which should bring it right in line with popular new bikes like the new-for-2017 Triumph Bobber.

So, what do you think? Do you think any of the new BMW motorcycles coming to EICMA are more exciting than Petit’s Flug death machine? Of course you don’t- but if you’d like to pretend you’d rather have a 313cc entry-level bike than a sci-fi/steampunk masterpiece, feel free to tell us why in the comments. We’re ready to believe you.

Say what you will about Faraday Future’s “underwhelming” concept cars or innovative patents or huge budgets and lofty goals — the company has managed to bag some serious, A-list automotive talent. Last month, Faraday Future poached Tesla’s VP of Regulatory Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, James Chen. Earlier today, it caught an even bigger prize: former Ferrari executive Marco Mattiacci.

That’s huge for Faraday.

For those of you not “in the know,” Mattiacci was briefly a big deal at Ferrari’s Formula 1 team during a tenure that saw him effectively “let go” of double World Drivers’ Champion Fernando Alonso in favor of four-time WDC Sebastian Vettel before retiring at the end of the 2014 season.

More importantly, however, Mattiacci also served as president & CEO of Ferrari North America from 2010 to 2014, and as president & CEO of Ferrari Asia Pacific from 2006 until 2010 — a period of tremendous growth for the brand. It is the experience Marco gained in his executive role within the Italian company, most likely, that made him a target for Faraday Future as the company pushes forward with its billion-dollar plans.

That said, Mattiacci is excited by the new challenge ahead of him. “Throughout my career,” he says, “I have been a passionate believer in innovation and unique user experiences for customers. Joining the Faraday Future team is an incredible opportunity that revolves around a completely new, connected, and intelligent way of thinking … I look forward to the role I will play in developing a truly brave and innovative path forward for the industry.”

In short, Mattiacci knows the industry. He has ties to the very marketers, personalities, dealers, and customers that helped Ferrari grow over the last decade, and he’ll be bringing those relationships to Faraday Future in a way that — Faraday likely hopes — will help it get an edge on the next generation of Tesla Roadster and McLaren P1 electric supercars.

Buckle up, kids. Because, from where I’m sitting, Faraday Future is starting to look very much like the real deal. But — hey, what do I know? Let us know what you know about Faraday’s own future in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Meet the 04GEN- a new concept bike from Yamaha that sees Vespa’s bet on the 946 Emporio Armani and raises, going all-in. Yamaha is so far gone with the heady fumes of Sharpie markers that even the PR people are getting in on the wild design action when they write that the scooter, “evokes the image of women, with an air of dignified elegance and grace in mind and body.”

From the headlight to the taillight, every aspect of the Yamaha 04GEN concept has been considered and rendered in loving detail. It isn’t so much the shape of the bike, however, that draws attention. It’s the shimmering, translucent skin that the bike, itself, is made of.

That “skin” gives the 04GEN something like a crystalline, insect-like quality that gives it an otherworldly vibe. It looks gorgeous. It looks like it’s from the future. It looks like I’ll buy one within hours of it being available in the US.

What about you guys? Would something like this Yamaha concept scoot get you riding on two wheels or is the whole flutter-by wing gimmick just too, well, gimmicky? Let us know what you think in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Yamaha 04GEN Scooter Concept

Isetta, BMW’s iconic bubble car penned in 1952 by Ermenegildo Preti and Pierluigi Raggi for Renzo Rivolta, has been reborn as an electric car. At the time, Rivolta’s company, Iso, was making refrigerators, motor scooters and small three wheel trucks. He wanted to manufacture a small car that could be mass produced. The Isetta was the result. The name in Italian is a diminutive of Iso.

The all-electric Chevy Bolt was the automotive star of the 2016 CES show, for sure- but there was more to the electric vehicle side of the Las Vegas show than just the efforts of Tesla and the Big Three. Meet the Pixel, a modular, “open source” electric hybrid vehicle designed by France Craft.

France Craft’s vision is to offer a basic vehicle package. Basically, that’s a power unit fitted to a chassis and connected to a set of basic controls. Once the customer selects that- along with the ICE, hybrid, or EV option- they start picking and choosing the body parts necessary to turn their platform into a more “real” car. Or a tiny pickup. Or a van.

You see where we’re going with this, right?

It’s a clever idea- but that’s about it, and I’d be quick to dismiss it utterly except that it’s a clever idea that we’ve seen before. A very successful clever idea we’ve seen before, in fact- can you tell where?

That’s right! The concept is similar to bot GM’s versatile “Hy-Wire” concept and the one that launched Volkswagen, a company that eventually launched the Type 1 “beetle”, 181 Thing, Type 2 van, and later Type 3 sedans and coupes- don’t forget the little Karmann Ghia sporty coupe and convertible- from what was, essentially, the same chassis. A chassis that was, basically, little more than a power unit fitted to a chassis and connected to a set of basic controls.

Granted, having a smart idea doesn’t guarantee success- but it certainly gives France Craft a better chance of success than a stupid idea might, you know?

As for the “open source” part? France Craft hopes that the principle of interchangeable modules for the powertrain, infotainment, and overall form/function of the vehicle will help it avoid the “planned obsolescence” of many current technologies. All the vehicle platforms’ design and software information will be made available online, so that anyone who wants to build tech for the platform will have all the information they need in order be able to do so.

Details, otherwise, are scarce as of this writing. That said, you can order a “basic platform” for 10,000 Euro, and a “sales kit” is available for 20,000 EU, and includes (presumably) everything you need to “sales” France Craft Pixel EVs as “neighborhood electric vehicles” in the US.

ProTip: wait until your neighbor has one before you send them money.

France Craft Pixel EV Shown at CES

Intended to serve as an example of what a future, fully autonomous, zero-emissions Nissan could be like, the all-electric Nissan IDS concept car made its first appearance in the US at the 2016 North American International Auto Show- allowing those with a taste for the future to catch a glimpse of where things may be headed.

Nissan IDS Concept at NAIAS 2016

“Nissan’s forthcoming technologies will revolutionize the relationship between car and driver, and future mobility,” stated Nissan President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, last October, during the IDS Concept’s world debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. “Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver’s ability to see, think and react. It compensates for human error, which causes more than 90% of all car accidents. As a result, time spent behind the wheel is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more fun.”

Here’s more via official Nissan press release:

Some have compared a future with autonomous drive to living in a world of conveyer belts that simply ferry people from point A to B, but the Nissan IDS Concept promises a very different vision of tomorrow. Even when the driver selects Piloted Drive and turns over driving to the vehicle, the car’s performance — from accelerating to braking to cornering — imitates the driver’s own style and preferences.

In Manual Drive mode, the driver has control. The linear acceleration and cornering are pure and exhilarating. Yet behind the scenes, the Nissan IDS Concept continues to provide assistance. Sensors continually monitor conditions and assistance is available even while the driver is in control. In the event of imminent danger, Nissan IDS Concept will assist the driver in taking evasive action. In addition to learning, the Nissan IDS Concept’s AI communicates like an attentive partner. From information concerning traffic conditions, the driver’s schedule to personal interests, Nissan IDS Concept’s AI has what is needed to help create a driving experience that is comfortable, enjoyable and safe.

“A key point behind the Nissan IDS Concept is communication. For autonomous drive to become reality, as a society we have to consider not only communication between car and driver but also between cars and people. The Nissan IDS Concept’s design embodies Nissan’s vision of autonomous drive as expressed in the phrase together, we ride,” noted Mitsunori Morita, Design Director.

Interesting ideas for Nissan’s next Leaf and future hybrids. Though, of course, concept cars are just concept cars- but how much of this is actually going to find its way into a production vehicle? Let us know what you think in the comments, below.

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The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.

The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.